After 14 hours of negotiations, a deal was reached and a joint statement released.
Earlier this year, the New South Wales Waratahs and Rugby Australia terminated the contract of fullback Israel Folau over an inflammatory social media post.
Folau had posted pictures on Instagram and urged people to repent of their sinful ways, one of which he stated was homosexuality. One incendiary post claimed hell awaits for ‘drunks, homosexuals, adulterers’. He ignored Rugby Australia warnings that his conduct was in breach of his contract, and what is expected of a player, but did not delete the post nor back down.
RA terminated Folau’s contract and no other team, in rugby union or league, approached him with a new deal. Folau continued to preach his message and caused further controversy when claiming, at a sermon, that bushfires that caused damage untold were a sign of ‘God’s judgment’ in response same-sex marriage legislation being passed in Australia.
He and his representatives challenged his contract termination and he sought donations from the public for his legal proceedings. He was looking for $14m in lost earnings and damages.
On Wednesday, in Sydney, a settlement was released after lengthy negotiations between Folau’s representatives and those of RA and the Waratahs. Ultimately, Rugby Australia apologised to him and there was an apology from Folau too.
The settlement figure has not been disclosed but all parties came together to release a joint statement on the matter:
‘The social media post reflected Mr Folau’s genuinely held religious beliefs, and Mr Folau did not intend to harm or offend any person when he uploaded the social media post.
‘Mr Folau wants all Australians to know that he does not condone discrimination of any kind against any person on the grounds of their sexuality and that he shares Rugby Australia’s commitment to inclusiveness and diversity.
‘Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby do not in any way agree with the content of the Social Media Post. Inclusiveness is one of rugby’s core values and it welcomes all people to the game, including all members of the LGBTI community.
‘While it was not Rugby Australia’s intention, Similarly, Mr Folau did not intend to hurt or harm the game of rugby and acknowledges and apologises for any hurt or harm caused.
‘Rugby Australia and Mr Folau wish each other well for the future. The Parties do not intend to comment further on the terms of their settlement as it is confidential.’
With the matter now settled, it will be interesting to see what comes next in the sporting career of Folau.
The 30-year-old has played rugby league and union in Australia, for Japanese rugby union side ‘Red Hurricanes’ in the past and has also played Aussie Rules for Greater Western Sydney.
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Barry Murphy and Andrew Trimble are joined in the House of Rugby studio by Jerry Flannery as they look back on the Guinness PRO14 action, preview the Champions Cup and select an underrated XV.
